Introduction
Four species of wasps occur within the Bay of Plenty region. The German and Common wasp are known to most people and cause many problems with their aggressive behaviour. Asian paper wasps commonly occur in coastal areas of the Bay of Plenty and are regularly found in urban gardens and along bush edges, while the Australian paper wasp is occasionally seen in similar habitats.

German and Common wasps present the greatest danger to public health, attack bee hives and compete with and prey on native fauna.

Asian and Australian paper wasps are far less aggressive than the other two wasps, but will defend their nests if disturbed.

They also prey on insects (which some gardeners see as a good thing!), and have been known to chew weather boards of buildings for wood fibres which they use to make their nests.

German and Common wasps normally nest underground, though German wasps in particular will sometimes use hollow trees and the walls and roofs of buildings. Their nests can be difficult to find, particularly in bush or scrub country.

Paper wasps build elaborate 'paper mache' nests. These are generally bell shaped and have hexagonal cells. Nests are suspended from branches of shrubs or under the eaves of buildings and hang more or less vertically, so that rain or dripping water cannot enter the open cells.